Water-stabilized antimicrobial organosilane products, compositions, and methods for using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to water-stable compositions and compounds formed by mixing an organosilane, optionally having a non-hydrolyzable organic group, but having one or more hydrolyzable groups, and an acidified stabilizing solution prepared from at least one acid, at least one glycol ether, and at least one cationic surfactant, preferably at least one quaternary ammonium salt (QAS), in water. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a substrate by mixing or contacting the substrate with the product, compound, or composition of this invention for a period of time sufficient for treatment of the substrate, methods of antimicrobially treating a food article, methods of antimicrobially coating a fluid container, methods of dyeing and treating a substrate, and methods of antimicrobially coating a latex medical article. The invention also pertains to a treated substrate having adhered thereto the product, compound, or composition of this invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 778,311, filed Mar. 2, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to antimicrobial organosilane compositions, compounds, products, and methods for their use. In particular, this invention provides water-stable antimicrobial organosilane compounds stabilized with an acidified stabilized solution prepared from at least one quaternary ammonium salt, at least one glycol ether, and water, products, and compositions for treating various substrates; articles treated with the compounds, products, and compositions; and methods of treatment using the compounds, products, and compositions.BACKGROUND[0003]Organosilanes of the general formula RnSiX4-n where n is an integer from 0 to 3, but more generally from 0 to 2 (where when n is 3, the organosilanes may only dimerize); R i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides water-stable organosilane compounds, products, compositions, methods of use, and compositions for treating substrates. These compounds are stable in water and can be easily diluted with water. The invention also provides methods of dyeing and treating substrates using the water-stable organosilane compounds. The technical effects of the invention include improved water-stability, ease of dissolution in water, and improved clarity of the resulting solution. The invention also provides methods of preparing the water-stable organosilane compounds by mixing an organosilane with an acidic stabilizing solution."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, as noted above, organosilanes in water, such as the activated mixture of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl-dimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride and water are generally unstable and prone to self-condensation.

Moreover, such products are notorious for agitation difficulty during the addition of the silane to water.

While these quaternary ammonium silicon compounds have been employed to sterilize or disinfect many surfaces, their employment is still limited because of their toxicity often as a result of the solvent system used to deliver the compound, the necessity for a solvent solution (for instance, Dow Corning antimicrobial agents contain 50% methanol), short term stability (stability of aqueous silane solutions varies from hours to several weeks only), and poor water solubility.

For instance, while 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl-dimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride does not suffer from water insolubility, it is difficult to dissolve in water and tends to form lumps before it slowly dissolves.

It is unstable in water, and, because it is shipped in 50% methanol, it is overly toxic and flammable.

Many other antimicrobial organosilanes, especially quaternary ammonium silicon compounds, also suffer from problems associated with physical health hazards—precautions must be taken to avoid contact with both skin and eyes, accidental spills to the surrounding area, flammability, and the added manufacturing steps needed in order to incorporate such antimicrobial agents into other articles and surfaces, resulting in much higher manufacturing costs.

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